White football players who put noose on Black teammate expelled

WYNNE, Ark. (AP) — The Wynne School Board has expelled two junior varsity football players who were accused of placing a noose around the neck of a Black student..

The board met in executive session Wednesday and decided to expel the two students for the rest of the semester. The Jonesboro Sun reports that it’s a lesser punishment that the one recommended by Superintendent Carl Easley, who supported expulsion for the rest of the school year. Easley says five students were originally suspended. He declined further comment.

Few details have been released about the alleged incident. Family members have said the White students placed a noose around the 14-year-old Black student’s neck, but authorities have not confirmed that account.

Police in Wynne say no one was injured and that an investigation shows no criminal activity took place.

More than 150 people attended the hearing. Many were angered by the board’s decision, and Wynne police were called in to calm the crowd.